Book tray



March 25, 1952 v Fl M, 5|MAN|K 2,590,732

BOOK TRAY Filed Aug. 30, 1949 j INVENToR.

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Patented Mar. 25, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BOOK TRAY Frank M. Simancik, Detroit, Mich. Application August 30, 1949, Serial No. 113,193

4' Claims. 1

My invention relates to a carrier for books an similar articles, and more particularly comprises a tray having upstanding rims or side Walls around all but one edge of the tray whereby to adapt same for readily supporting a stack or pile of books, note books, papers and the like.

An object of my invention is to facilitate the carrying of books, note books, papers and the like, by providing a tray suitable to be carried over the forearm and in which such books, papers and the like can be readily stacked and carried about.

My invention is more particularly adapted for use by school girls who usually carry a stack of books on their forearms, and it is difficult at times, particularly when carrying several books, etc. of various shapes and sizes to carry same without said books slipping. In addition to the tray which serves as a carrier to receive a number of such books, I have provided a recess in the bottom of the tray, preferably an elongated recess for receiving pencils, pens and other similar articles, the books and papers carried on the tray serving to cover the recess.

A further object of my invention is to facilitate the carrying of the aforesaid articles by providing this tray as described above with an arm stop or abutment projecting from the underneath side of the tray and adapted to engage and rest on the outer portion of the forearm, this arm stop being preferably formed by recessing the bottom of the tray, so that same serves two purposes, a depression on the upper side of the tray for receiving pencils, pens and the like, and a bulge or projection on the underneath side of the tray.

For a more detailed understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawing illustrating preferred embodiments of my invention wherein like parts are referred to by like characters throughout the several views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective illustration showing my novel book carrier as customarly used.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the carrier.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a similar sectional view showing a modified form of recess or pocket.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-,5 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a modified construction.

'I'he carrier as herein illustrated is adapted for carrying books, note books, papers and similar articles, as well as pencils, pens and other like objects. The carrier comprises a tray structure A, having side and rear walls l0 and Il respectively of a suitable height, and is preferably constructed With no wall at the front edge as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

The bottom l2 of the tray is depressed as at I4 to form a pocket or recess adapted to receive pencils, pens and other similar articles. Said depressedor recessed portion forms an arm stopdepending from underneath the tray, and

when the tray is carried on the forearm, as shown,

this arm stop conveniently locates or positions the tray so that same can be conveniently carried with a minimum of eiort.

Preferably, this pocket comprises a V-shaped recess `(see Fig. 3) and the pencils, pens and other similar articles are retained in the recess or pocket because the books and other similar articles carried in said tray, overlie this recessI or pocket. Obviously this pocket may be made rounded as shown at Ida in Fig. 4 if so desired.

Ordinarily this recess or pocket is substantially straight and extends substantially parallel to the rimless edge of the tray. If desired, the pocket or recess may be slightly curved as shown in Fig. 6 as at l5 in order that the inside face of the arm stop will more or less conform to the rounded shape of the forearm, thus tending to retain the tray from slipping off the forearm.

The present tray may be formed of any suitable material and is preferably molded out of plastic, but same can be pressed out of sheet metal of a suitable fibre board, and of any suitable size to support several books and stacks of paper.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention pertains that various changes and modications may be made herein without departing from the spirit of my invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A carrier of the character described comprising an open top tray having upwardly extending rims about three edges thereof to facilitate the stacking and carrying of books and other similar articles, the bottom of said tray provided with an elongated recessed portion disposed substantially parallel with and adjacent to the rimless edge of the tray for receiving and storing pencils, pens and the like, said recessed portion providing an arm stop projecting outwardly from the bottom underneath face of the tray for positioning the arm supported area 3 of said tray substantially close to the center of the tray.

2. A carrier of the character described comprising an open top tray having upwardly extending rims about three edges thereof to facilitate the stacking and carrying of books and other similar articles in such a manner as to rest against the rear rim, the bottom of said tray provided with an elongated recessed portion disposed substantially parallel with and adjacent to the rimless edge of the tray for receiving and storing pencils, pens and the like, said recessed portion providing an arm stop projecting outwardly from the bottom underneath face of the tray, said arm stop positioned to permit the arm to support that portion of the tray to the rear of the recess and to underlie the center zone of said tray.

3. A carrier of the character described comprising an open top tray having upwardly extending. rims around three sides thereof to facilitate the stacking and carrying of books and other similar articles, the rear rim having a substantial height, the side rims sloping down to merge substantially with the rimless edge of the tray, the bottom of said tray provided with an elongated recessed portion located near the rimless edge of the tray for receiving and storing pencils, pens and the like, said recessed portion providing an elongated arm stop projecting outwardly from the bottom underneath face' of the tra-y, said carrier arranged to be supported on thev forearm with said arm stop resting on the outer portion of said forearm and with the medial portion of the tray directly overlying the forearm.

4. A carrier of the character described comprising an open top tray having upwardly extending rims around three sides thereof to facilitate the stacking and carrying of books and other similar articles, the rear rim having a substantial height, the side rims sloping down to merge substantially with the rimless edge of the tray, the bottom of said tray .provided with an elongated recessed portion located near the rimless edge of the tray for receiving and storing pencils.. pens and the like, said recessed portion providing an arm stop projecting outwardly from the bottom underneath face of the tray, said carrier arranged to be supported on the forearm with said arm stop resting on the outer portion of said forearm, said arm stop consisting of an elongated curved portion substantially form fitted to the forearm whereby to arrest same from slipping relatively to the forearm and with the medial portion of the tray directly overlying the forearm.

FRANK M. SIMANCIK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

